A new CNN/ORC International poll released on Monday found a majority of Americans believe Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense in the Gaza Strip is justified.

Fifty-seven percent of Americans support Israel’s strikes against Hamas, while 25% believe Israel’s actions are not justified.

In addition, 60% of those surveyed sided with the Israelis while 13% supported the Palestinians.

Fighting in the region began last week when Hamas terrorists fired rockets into Israel from Gaza.

CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said these numbers were “nothing new” because the “number of Americans who sympathize more with the Palestinians has never been higher than 18% since the question was first asked in 1988.” In addition, Keating said, “sympathies for Israel have sometimes dipped below 50%, but have been over that mark for the past eight years.”

The CNN poll surveyed 1,023 Americans from November 16-18 and the margin of error is +/- three percentage points.